It’s a chance to connect with 120,000 students and parents, and for Beth Natale, it’s one of the most important events of the year.

The Director, Retention and Recruitment, will be one of nearly 100 Brock University employees and students on hand at the Ontario Universities’ Fair taking place Friday to Sunday at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

With all 21 Ontario universities being represented, it’s the largest educational fair in Canada.

“Given its location in the heart of the GTA, it is imperative that Brock make a positive impression and leave our mark in a compelling way,” Natale said. “Each September, we work exceptionally hard to bring the Brock Experience to prospective students, families and educators.”

Brock is known for its student experience, so the goal of Brock’s updated OUF booth is to bring the Brock story to life in the convention centre.

“Our exhibit will be home to faculty, staff and students and their interactions with our guests are critical — they each have a unique lens from which to tell their Brock story and that personal approach matters to students,” said Natale.

Brock’s new Experience. Come to Brock. campaign will be hard to miss with messaging all around Toronto’s Skywalk area of Union Station, the Pearson Express station and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

The messaging this year will focus on three aspects of the Brock story:

Experience — The amazing campus and learning experience found at Brock, and the hands-on opportunities gained through Brock’s exceptional experiential learning programs.

Quality — Exceptionally high graduate employment rates and above-average student satisfaction rankings are clear indicators of the quality of a Brock education.

Location — Brock’s modern intimate campus, located only an hour from the GTA, yet within a UNESCO biosphere reserve, in safe, friendly, fun, beautiful and inexpensive Niagara makes for a unique University experience that cannot be matched anywhere else.

While the focus of the efforts at OUF is on students applying to university for September, 2017, Brock recruiting staff will also meet students interested in studies starting as soon as January. In addition, many younger participants will use the Fair as a preliminary research opportunity as they start to think about future higher education plans.

“OUF is our chance to stand out among our competitors and inspire prospective students to want to learn more about Brock,” Natale said.

In addition to OUF, Fall Preview Day at Brock is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 6 and Spring Open House will take place Sunday, April 2, 2017.